Sony a57 vs Sony NEX-3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Sony NEX-3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a57 were released 2012 and Sony NEX-3 was released 2010. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a57 2012
Sony NEX-3 2010

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a57 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony NEX-3 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a57 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony NEX-3 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a57 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Sony NEX-3 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony a57 has a 14 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-3. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a57 has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-3. Sony a57 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Sony NEX-3 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a57 100-16000
Sony NEX-3 200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a57
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-3 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57 12
Sony NEX-3 7

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a57 and Sony NEX-3 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a57 weighs 618 gr (equal to 1.36 lb) which is 108% heavier than Sony NEX-3 and its 297 gr (or 0.65 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb
Sony NEX-3 297 gr
0.65 lb

Sony a57 vs Sony NEX-3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 and Sony NEX-3, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Name Sony a57 Sony NEX-3
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Release Year 2012 2010
Release Date 2012-03-13 2010-05-11
MSRP 699 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
ISO Range 100 - 16000 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 15 25
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Frames per second 12 fps 7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) No
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a57
Sony NEX-3
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 550 shots 330 shots
Width 132 mm 117 mm
Height 98 mm 62 mm
Depth 81 mm 33 mm
Weight 618 gram 297 gram